Potable water dispenser

ABSTRACT

A potable water dispenser particularly suited for use in dispensing potable water into food and beverage reconstitution bags. The dispenser is characterized by an expansible chamber, selectively adjustable stop means for varying the maximum dimensions achievable by the chamber, a rotary valve and a linear valve coupled in a cooperating relation for delivering potable water to and from the chamber.

Fletcher et al.

[ POTABLE WATER DISPENSER 3,601,845 3/1971 Mavrich 222/309 x 1,5 2,06010 924 h k 22 3 [76] Inventors: James Fletcher, Adrmmstrator of 3231M1x966 H 6 the N t l Aerqnautws and Space 3,278,094 10/1966 Perry 222/514x Admmlstration w1th respect to an invention of Herbert R.

Primary ExammerSamuel F. Coleman g i f f Eppmg way AssistantExaminer-Joseph J. Rolla usnn 2 Attorney-L. D. Wofford, Jr. et a]. [22]Filed: June 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 266,930 S RACT A potable waterdispenser particularly suited for use 52 us. c1 222/309, 222/340,222/387, dispensing Potable water t food and beverage re- 222/514constitution bags. The dispenser is characterized by an 51 Int. Cl. Glf11/06 expansible chamber, Selectively adjustable P means 58 Field ofSearch 222/305 307 309 M varying the maximum dimenSiOnS achievable by222/340 the chamber, a rotary valve and a linear valve coupled in acooperating relation for delivering potable water [56] References (medto and from the chamber.

UNITED STATES PAT NTS Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1,979,428 l1/l934Wheeler 222/309 A34 13/? 123 SR 80 ml [48 1 l /lO 6 l/ 5O 0\ 30 i [6 1 O,9 IE6 48 i I06 6k 54- 46 78 I 4, j [04 /O6 5 90 z ,3 i 2 I00 R2 I08 klle c E 56 56 as 22 j g 3 7R- 4, h [0R A Dec. 11, 1973 POTABLE WATERDISPENSER ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION The invention described herein wasmade in the performance of work under a NASA contract and is subject tothe provisions of Section 305 of the National Aeronautics and Space Actof 1958, Public Law 85-568 (72 Stat. 435; 42 U.S.C. 2457).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to water dispensersand more particularly to a potable water dispenser for use in measuringand dispensing potable water utilized in reconstituting food andbeverages aboard operative spacecraft.

The prior art, of course, is replete with dispensers equipped withvalves and the :like for dispensing fluids of various types includingpotable water. However, currently available dispensers do not meet thestringent requirements imposed on such devices during missions ofextended duration, aboard spacecraft.

For reasons well known to those engaged in manned space flightoperations, it is highly desirable that there be kept an accurate recordof the fluid taken by crewmen aboard operative spacecraft. This record,of course, includes the fluid found in food and beverages. Duringmissions of extended duration, food often is provided in dehydratedcondition and thereafter is reconstituted, i.e., returned to a hydratedcondition. This necessarily requires an addition of preselectedquantities of potable water. Such reconstitution requires that the waterutilized be accurately measured and efficiently dispensed. In order toassure that an accurate record be maintained for the water consumed bycrewmen throughout a mission, such measuring and dispensing of the wateremployed in reconstituting food and beverages also must be easily andreadily accomplished, particularly where crewmen are functioning underadverse conditions of the type encountered on such missions. Hence, thedispenser employed must be highly reliable, simple to operate, and of asimple, lightweight and rugged construction.

The prior art also includes dispensing devices having spring-loadedmechanisms for dispensing selected quantities of fluid maintained underpressure. Representative of such prior art devices is the devicedisclosed in the US. Pat. to No. 1,979,428 to Wheeler. This patentdiscloses a spring-biased piston seated within a cylinder anddisplaceable for delivering quantities of fluid. However, availabledevices simply do not fulfill existing needs, where such a device mustbe of a simple, economic construction, readily operable in a weightlessenvironment for accurately dispensing variable quantities of water intoreconstitution bags.

It is therefore the purpose of the instant invention to provide arugged, simple to operate, economic, and highly reliable dispenser foruse in accurately dispensing predetermined quantities of potable waterto reconstitution bags aboard an operative spacecraft during missions ofextended duration.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of theinstant invention to provide an improved dispenser for dispensingpotable water.

It is another object to provide a simplified, readily operable dispenserfor use in precisely measuring and dispensing potable water to bagsutilized in reconstituting food and beverages aboard operativespacecraft.

It is another object to provide a practical dispenser for use inaccurately measuring and efficiently dispensing predetermined quantitiesof potable water in a weightless environment.

It is another object to provide an economic and practical dispenser foruse in delivering variable, accurately measured quantities of water in aweightless environment.

It is another object to provide an improved, economic, highly reliableand efficient dispenser for use in dispensing variable, accuratelymeasured successive charges of water to bags utilized in reconstitutingfood and beverages in a weightless environment.

These and other objects and advantages are achieved through the use of avariably dimensioned measuring chamber coupled to a pressurized sourceof potable water through a manually operable rotary valve employed incontrolling the charging of the chamber and a manually operable linearvalve coupled with the chamber through the rotary valve for dispensingmeasured quantities of water from the chamber in measuring anddelivering potable water to reconstitution bags, as will become morereadily apparent by reference to the following description and claims inlight of the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a top plan view of a dispenser embodying the principles of theinstant invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG.1, but on somewhat of an enlarged scale.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section plan view, taken in a plane extendinggenerally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmented, sectional view, taken generally along line 4-4of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmented, sectional view, taken generally along line 5-5of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG.1, but on somewhat of an enlarged scale.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevational view, taken generally along line7-7 of FIG. 1, also on a somewhat enlarged scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingswherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding partsthroughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a potable waterdispenser 10 which embodies the principles of the instant invention.

While not shown, it is to be understood that the dispenser 10 isparticularly suited for mounting in a work table of the type foundwithin wardrooms of an operative spacecraft and the like. The particularmanner in which the dispenser 10 is supported in the table, or thearrangement thereof relative to the table, is a matter of convenience.However, it is to be understood that the dispenser 10 preferably is soarranged as to afford ready access thereto in order to accommodatedispensing of potable water for use in reconstituting dehydrated foodand beverages.

It also is to be understood that the dispenser 10 is employed indispensing either hot or cold water, preferably in increments of aone-half ounce, within a range of 1 ounce to 6 ounces with an accuracyof plus or minus 1 percent. Furthermore, and as a practical matter, thedispenser 10 is fabricated from materials compatible with water having atemperature ranging between approximately 40 to 150 F., depending uponthe temperature of the particular source of water to which the dispenseris connected, as well as with biocides of a type normally dissolved orsuspended in the source of water. All internal seals, of course, alsoare of a material compatible with the purposes for which a dispenser isemployed.

As shown, FIG. 1, the dispenser 10 includes a body 12, having a waterdispensing jet 14 disposed at one end thereof and a measuring stop 16provided at its opposite end. As a practical matter, the dispenser 10 issupported by a base 18 through which mounting of the dispenser 10 withina table is accommodated.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the body 12 includes a substantiallycylindrical wall 20 closed at one end by a transverse end plate 22welded or otherwise suitably affixed to the cylindrical wall 20. Withinthe cylindrical wall 20 there is seated a piston 23 having a head 24 anda shaft 25 axially extended therefrom. The head 24 includes a planarface 26 disposed in opposition to the end plate 22, in a manner suchthat the contiguous surfaces of' the cylindrical wall 20, the end plate22, and the face 26 define within the body 12 an expansible chamber 28.

Expansion of the chamber 28 occurs along the longitudinal axis ofsymmetry of the body 12 as the piston head 24 is displaced axially awayfrom the end plate 22. Consequently, the instantaneous longitudinaldimension of the chamber 28 is determined by the distance through whichthe piston head 24 has been displaced in a direction extending away fromthe end plate 22.

For closing the end of the body 12, opposite the end plate 22, there isprovided a closure plate 30. The closure plate 30 preferably includes anannular lip 32 which is received internally of the cylindrical wall 20in frictional engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the wall 20. Theclosure plate is coupled with wall 20 through suitable screws, welds andthe like, not shown.

The closure plate 30 also includes a concentric opening 34 within whichthere is seated a bushing 36. The bushing 36 includes a concentricopening for receiving therein the piston shaft 25 and is supported inplace by a suitable retainer plate 38. As a practical matter, there isprovided between the closure plate 30 and the piston head 24 a pair ofconcentrically related compression springs 40 of a helical configurationcircumscribing the shaft 25. These springs act in compression andcontinuously urge the piston head 24 toward the end plate 22. Thus itcan be appreciated that the piston head is supported againstmisalignment, as reciprocating axial displacement is imparted thereto,by the shaft 25 and that a predetermined orientation for the shaft ismaintained by the bushing 36 as the shaft is reciprocated therewithin.

The end plate 22 is provided with a chamber intake port 42 and a chamberejection port 44 through which water is delivered to and ejected fromthe chamber 28. The chamber intake port 42, of course, serves to delivera complete charge of potable water to the chamber 28 while the chamberejection port 44 serves as a conduit for ejecting the charge, for eachcycle of the dispensers operation.

The quantities of water forming the charges within the chamber 28 arevariable and are determined by the magnitude of axial displacementimparted to the piston head 24 as the water is introduced into thechamber through the port 42. Furthermore, axial displacement of thepiston head away from the end plate 22 is achieved in response tohydraulic pressures developed within the chamber 28 as a consequence ofthe applied pressures of the source. Therefore, combined forces, appliedby the pair of springs 40, necessarily are less than the forces appliedin opposition thereto as the water is introduced from the source throughthe intake port 42. Consequently, as the water is introduced into thechamber 28, the piston head 24 responsively is displaced as charging ofthe chamber occurs. Thus, the chamber is expanded, for accommodating itsgradual filling, to provide a charge of a precisely measured quantity ofwater.

Displacement of the piston head 24 is arrested by the measuring stop 16.As best shown in H6. 2, the piston shaft 25 is of a tubularconfiguration and telescopically receives the adjacent end of acoaxially aligned stop shaft 46. The stop shaft 46, in turn, issupported by a suitable bracket 48 of a generally U-shaped configurationprojected through an opening 49 suitably formed within a base plate 50.Preferably, the bracket 48 is mounted on the retainer plate 38 while thebase plate 50 and the retainer plate 38 are provided with a plurality ofsuitably formed and axially aligned openings through which is extended aplurality of mounting screws 52.

In order to support the stop shaft 46, the bracket 48 also is providedwith an opening 54 coaxially aligned with the shaft 25. Into this thereis inserted a base portion 56 of the stop shaft 46. The base portion 56of the stop shaft is provided with a circumscribing collar 58 seatedagainst the surface of the bracket and an externally screw-threadedportion 60 which extends therethrough and receives thereon a nut 62.Thus the stop shaft 46 is supported to be received within the extendedend portion of the pistonshaft 25 so that as axial displacement isimparted to the piston head 24 mutual telescoping displacement betweenthe shafts 25 and 26 is achieved.

The magnitude of the mutual displacement between the telescoping shafts25 and 46 is determined through a selective positioning of a block 64.This block is provided with a bore 66 extended therethrough forreceiving therein the stop shaft 46. The adjacent surfaces of the stopshaft 46 and the bore 66 serve as mated bearing surfaces for supportingthe block 64 as displacement of the block along the shaft 46 occurs in.repositioning the block.

In practice, the shaft 46 also includes an aligned multiplicity ofpin-receiving openings 68 which serves to receive a locking pin 70 foraffixing the block 64 to the stop shaft 46 in order to preclude relativemotion therebetween. As a practical matter, the block 64 is providedwith an impact face 72 directed toward the body 12, while the distal endof the shaft 25 is provided with an impact face 74, arranged in anopposed relationship to the impact face 72. Accordingly, it can beappreciated that the maximum volume of the chamber 28 is established asthe impact face 74 engages the impact face 72 of the block 64 for thusarresting the mutual displacement of the shafts 25 and 46.

As a practical matter, the spacing of pin-receiving openings 68 is suchthat the longitudinal dimension of the chamber 28 can be varied forselectively altering the axial dimension of the chamber 28 inincrements, with an attendant variation in one-half ounce increments forthe quantity of water received within the chamber 28. Thus, through aselective positioning of the block 64, a determinable variation in thequantity of water required to fill the chamber 28, for thereby providinga precisely measured charge, is established.

In practice, the pin 70 is projected from a locking shaft 76 seated foraxial displacement within a suitable formed housing 78. The shaft alsois provided with a manually operable knob 80 affixed to the distal endthereof for accommodating an axial displacement thereof. In practice, acompression spring 82 is seated about the shaft 76 and engages aretention collar 84 fixed to the shaft 76 and a screw-threaded cap 86employed in closing the housing 78. Thus, the spring 82 is confined andserves to continuously urge the pin 70 toward its locking dispositionrelative to the pinreceiving opening 68.

Withdrawal of the pin 70 from the opening 68 is achieved simply bymanually lifting the knob 80 so that the shaft 76 is axially displacedagainst the applied force of the compression spring 82. Withdrawal ofthe pin 70 thus releases the block 64 for repositioning relative to theshaft 46 for thereby altering the volume of the chamber 28.

In order to achieve control in the delivery of water to and from thechamber 28 there is provided a rotary valve, generally designated 90 anda cooperating linear valve, generally designated 92.

The rotary valve 90 is supported in juxtaposition with the chamber 28and communicates with the aforementioned source of potable water, notshown, through a delivery conduit 94 formed in any suitable manner. As apractical matter, the conduit 94, FIG. 2, extends from the internallythreaded opening 96 to a terminal port 98, FIG. 4, which communicateswith a cylindrical shaft 100 of the rotary valve 90.

The port 96 is suitably configured to receive therein a fitting forcoupling the dispenser with the source of potable water, while theterminal port 98 is configured to communicate with a segmented, radiallyextended passageway 102 formed in the shaft 100. As a practical matter,the passageway 102 includes a pair of angularly related segments, notdesignated, so arranged within the shaft 100 that one end of apassageway 102 communicates with the chamber intake port 42, FIG. 3,while the opposite end of the passageway communicates with the terminalport 98 of the conduit 94. Accordingly, selected rotation of the shaft100 causes the chamber 28 to communicate with the source of water viathe intake port 42, the angularly related segments of the passageway102, and the conduit 94.

The shaft 100 furtheris provided with a segmented passageway 103 havinga radially extended segment 104 and a base segment 105 axially extendedalong the longitudinal axis of the shaft 100. The radially extendedsegment 104 is so oriented as to communicate with the chamber ejectionport 44 whereby a path is provided, extending away from the chamber 28toward the distal end of the shaft 100.

In practice, the radial segments of the passageways 102 and 103 areangularly related, with respect to each other, in a manner such thatwhen a path for the water is established between the terminal port 98and the chamber intake port 42, the chamber ejection port 44 is closedby the adjacent surface of the shaft 100. Similarly, when a path for thewater is established through the passageway 103, from the chamberejection port 44, the chamber intake port 42 is sealed by the adjacentsurface of the shaft 100.

The shaft is received and supported within a bore 106 having an insidediameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the shaft 100,in order to accommodate a fluid-tight seal therebetween. For reasonswhich are readily apparent, a fluid-tight seal between the adjacentsurfaces of the bore 106 and the shaft 100 is impractical. Therefore,suitable O-ring seals 108 are provided for precluding leakagetherebetween. F urthermore, suitable bearing surfaces including lockrings and the like are employed in supporting the shaft 100 at a desireddisposition within the bore 106. Since the particular manner in whichthe shaft is supported can be varied, a detailed description thereof isomitted in the interest of brevity.

It should be apparent that simply by rotating the shaft 100 to a firstappropriate disposition the chamber 28 is permitted to receive a chargewhile a subsequent rotation to a second position prepares the dispenserto discharge water from the chamber 28.

The instantaneous condition of the chamber 28 read ily is indicatedthrough the use of a simple flag, generally designated 110, as thechamber is charged and dis charged. The flag 110 includes a shaft 112fixed to the distal end of the shaft 25 through suitable means includingscrews 114 and the like. The uppermost or distal end of the shaft 112 isprovided with a color indicator 116 for ready recognition. It willtherefore be appreciated that whether the chamber 28 is charged, beingcharged, discharged or being discharged can be readily determined simplyby observing the instantaneous position of the indicator 1 16 relativeto the block 64 and the base plate 50.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the shaft 100 also is provided with an actuatorsegment 118 through which manually imposed, angular displacement isimparted to the shaft. As shown, the segment 118 includes a base portion120 having a shoulder defined by an annular face 122. This face is matedin a substantially fluid-tight engagement with an adjacent annular face,not designated, circumscribing the bore 106. The base 120 further isprovided with a concentric bore 124 coaxially related with the terminalsegment of the passageway 104. This bore terminates within a distalportion 126 of the shaft segment 118 to which is affixed aconcentrically related hand-actuating knob 128. The knob 128 preferablyis affixed to the segment 118 through the use of suitable setscrews 130and the like. Hence, any rotation imparted to the knob 128, angulardisplacement about its longitudinal axis of symmetry, is transmitted tothe shaft 100 for repositioning the passageways 102 and 103 relative tothe chamber intake port 42 and the chamber ejection port 44,respectively.

The linear valve 92 is, in practice, coaxially related to the rotaryvalve 90, and is concentrically mated with the segment 118 of the shaft110. These valves are in direct communication so that the linear valve92, in effect, serves to impose flow control on the water beingdischarged from the chamber 28, via the passageway 103 of the rotaryvalve 90.

In order to accomplish this result, the linear valve 92 is provided withan elongated body 132 having a concentric bore 134. At the distal end ofthe body 132, in direct communication with the bore 134, there isprovided a plurality of radially directed ports 136 through which waterselectively is ejected from the bore 134. While a single port 136, asshown in FIG. 2, can be employed quite successfully, it is to beunderstood that as many ports 136 are provided as is desired.

It is important, however, to understand that the bore 134 is blind atits distal end so that the flow of fluid through the bore 134 isaccommodated only through the radially extended ports 136, rather thanin an axial direction. This arrangement, of course, facilitates a rapidand a practical closing thereof by the distal end portion 137 of aconcentrically related closure' sleeve 138.

The sleeve 138 is concentrically related to the body 132 and issupported for axial reciprocation between a first and a second position.When in its first position,

the distal end portion 137 of the sleeve 138 circumscribes the distalend of the body 132 so that the portion 137 establishes a fluid-tightseal for the ports 136. However, when the sleeve is displaced to itssecond position the distal end portion 137 of the sleeve is retractedfrom circumscribing and sealing relationship with the ports 136. Thus,it is possible to control the flow of fluid from the ports 136 simply byrepositioning the sleeve 138 relative to the body 132.

In practice, a plurality of opposed, annular stop shoulders 140 isprovided at appropriate locations on the adjacent surfaces of theelongated body 132 and the sleeve 138. These should serve forcontrolling the extent to which the sleeve 138 is retracted relative tothe distal end of the body 132. Further, the base of the body 132 isprovided with a segment 142 received within the aforementioned bore 124.The segment 142 also includes a collar, designated 144, for precludingdisplacement of the body 132 into the bore 124. In practice, afluid-tight friction fit is established between the adjacent surfaces ofthe base segment 142 of the body 132 and the adjacent surfaces of thebore 124. If desired, the base segment 142 can be welded in place.

Also seated on the collar 144 is a helical spring 146 circumscribing thebody 132 and abutting an annular shoulder 148 formed internally of thesleeve 138. The spring 146 continuously urges the sleeve 138 toward thedistal end of the body 132 for thus biasing the linear valve 92 to itsclosed condition. Of course, if so desired, a plurality of suitableO-ring seals 150 is provided within the sleeve 138 for inhibitingleakage between the adjacent surfaces of the sleeve 138 in the body 132.

It is also to be understood that about a distal end of the sleeve 138there is provided a distal portion 150 configured to be received withinthe neck ofa reconstitution bag. Thus, the reconstitution bag canreadily be coupled with the jet 14 and the linear valve 92 actuated in aone-hand operation, by manually advancing the sleeve 138 against theapplied forces of the spring 146.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed readily apparent that therotary valve 90 serves to control the charging of the chamber 28 whilethe linear valve 92 cooperates with the rotary valve 90 in controllingthe discharge of the chamber so that in order to discharge the chamber,both the rotary valve and the linear valve must be actuated in aprescribed sequence.

OPERATION It is believed that in view of the foregoing description, theoperation of the device will be readily understood and it will bebriefly reviewed at this point.

With the dispenser 10 assembled in the manner hereinbefore described, itis mounted along the upper surface ofa table, not shown, but of a typenormally found in a wardroom of a spacecraft.

As a practical matter, the dispenser 10 can be employed as one of a bankof similar dispensers, each being coupled with a suitable source ofpotable water. In practice, the dispenser l0 normally is employed as oneof a pair wherein one is coupled with a source of cold" while the otheris coupled with a source of hot water.

When so mounted, a reconstitution bag, not shown, including therein thefood or the beverage to be reconstituted is received about the distalend of the sleeve 138, the knob 128 rotated a distance sufficient tocause the segments of the passageway 102 to concurrently communicatewith the chamber intake port 42 and the terminal port 98 of the conduit94. At this instance, potable water is delivered from the source andreceived within the chamber 28. The pressure of the source is sufficientto cause the piston head 24 to retract against applied forces of thepair of concentrically related compression springs 40. The piston head24 now is afforded axial displacement through a distance such that thechamber 28 receives therein a charge of water, the quantity of whichhaving been established by a positioning of the block 64 of the stop 16.A crewman observing the position of the indicator 116 adjacent to themeasuring stop 16 is apprised of the charged condition of the chamber28. Thereupon, the crewman rotates the knob 128 in a direction such thatthe segments of the passageway 103 are caused to communicate with thechamber ejection port 44, preparatory to discharging the chamber 28.

With the reconstitution bag seated over the distal end of the linearvalve, the linear valve 92 is actuated simply by applying an axiallydirected force to the sleeve 138 sufficient to cause the spring 146 tocollapse and the distal end of the sleeve to advance axially away fromthe ports 136, whereupon the ports are opened for discharge of the waterfrom the chamber 28 via the passageway 103 and the bore 134.

Of course, with the rotary valve rotated to a position wherein thelinear valve is caused to communicate with the chamber 28, the chamberintake port 42 is sealed from the pressure of the source of potablewater. Consequently, once the ports 136 are uncovered, the pair ofsprings 40 serves to axially displace the piston head 24 toward the endplate 22 with a force sufficient to eject the water from the chamberejection port. As the piston head 24 is advanced toward the end plate22, the indicator 1 16 is advanced away from the measuring stop 16. Atthe instant the indicator 116 comes to rest against the base plate 50,the crewman is apprisedof a complete discharge of the charge from thechamber 28, whereupon the crewman merely extracts the neck of the bagfrom about the distal end of the sleeve 138. This releases the sleevefrom the manually applied force and permits the spring 146 to againclose the port 136 by advancing the sleeve into its initial positionwherein the distal end portion 137 of the sleeve 138 circumscribes andcloses the ports 136.

Of course, should it be desired to vary the charge of water to bedispensed during a subsequent cycle of operation, the knob 80 is liftedfor elevating the shaft 76 and thereby extractingthe pin 70 from thepin-' receiving opening 68 within which it is seated. Upon being liftedagainst the force of the spring 82, the block 64 is freed for axialdisplacement relative to the stop shaft 46. The volume of the chamber 28thus can be varied, and the extent to which the volume is varied isdictated by the number of openings traversed by the block 64, prior tobeing coupled again with the shaft 46 as the locking pin 70 is reseated.

In view of the foregoing, it should readily be apparent that thedispenser of the instant invention provides a practical solution to theperplexing problem of accurately measuring, and effeciently dispensingwater into reconstitution bags in a weightless environment.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is not to be limited to the illustrated detailsdisclosed.

What is claimed is: l. A potable water dispenser. comprising: acylindrical measuring chamber for precisely measuring quantities ofwater to be dispensed;

arotary valve having a cylindrical valve body disposed in justapositionwith said chamber and communicating with a source of water maintainedunder pressure for selectively charging said chamber;

means interposed between said valve body and said chamber for separatingsaid body and said chamber;

a chamber intake port and a chamber ejection port extending between saidchamber and said rotary valve body for affording mutual communicationtherebetween;

said valve body having a first passageway therein comprising a firstradially extended passageway segment and a delivery passageway segmentextended in an axial direction from said first radially extendedsegement;

said valve body having a second passageway therein comprising a secondradially extended passageway segment angularly related to said firstradially extended segment and communicating with said source of waterunder pressure;

means including a spring-loaded piston head supported in said measuringchamber for axial displacement in response to introduction of waterthrough said chamber intake port for varying the longitudinal dimensionof said chamber;

means including a delivery jet for dispensing measured charges of water;

means including a linear valve for selectively delivering measuredcharges of water from said chamber to said jet.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 further comprising selectivelyoperable stop means for limiting displacement of said piston fordetermining the longitudinal dimension of said chamber, said stop meansincluda tubular piston shaft axially extended from said piston head;

a rigidly supported stop shaft telescopically received within saidpiston shaft, whereby displacement of said piston head impartsdisplacement to said piston shaft relative to said stop shaft;

means defining within said stop shaft a plurality of juxtaposedpin-receiving openings;

a slidable block concentrically supported by said stop shaft and axiallydisplaceable therealong;

manually operable, spring-biased means including an axially reciprocablepin continuously urged toward said openings to be received therein forreleasably coupling said block with said stop shaft.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first radiallyextended passageway segment is disposed to communicate with said chamberejection port and said second radially extended passageway segment isdisposed to communicate with said chamber intake port in response to anangular indexing displacement sequentially imparted to said rotaryvalve.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said linear valve includes:

A. a tubular body communicating with said delivery passageway having abase coaxially related therewith;

B. means defining within the distal end of said tubular body a pluralityof radially extended water ejection ports; and

C. a closure sleeve concentrically related to said tubular bodysupported for axial displacement between a first position wherein theclosure sleeve is concentrically related to said ports for closing theports, and a second position wherein said closure sleeve is axiallydisplaced from said first position whereby said ejection ports are open.

5. The dispenser of claim 4 wherein said linear valve further includesspring means coupled with said sleeve for continuously urging the sleevetoward said first position.

1. A potable water dispenser comprising: a cylindrical measuring chamberfor precisely measuring quantities of water to be dispensed; a rotaryvalve having a cylindrical valve body disposed in justaposition withsaid chamber and communicating with a source of water maintained underpressure for selectively charging said chamber; means interposed betweensaid valve body and said chamber for separating said body and saidchamber; a chamber intake port and a chamber ejection port extendingbetween said chamber and said rotary valve body for affording mutualcommunication therebetween; said valve body having a first passagewaytherein comprising a first radially extended passageway segment and adelivery passageway segment extended in an axial direction from saidfirst radially extended segement; said valve body having a secondpassageway therein comprising a second radially extended passagewaysegment angularly related to said first radially extended segment andcommunicating with said source of water under pressure; means includinga spring-loaded piston head supported in said measuring chamber foraxial displacement in response to introduction of water through saidchamber intake port for varying the longitudinal dimension of saidchamber; means including a delivery jet for dispensing measured chargesof water; means including a linear valve for selectively deliveringmeasured charges of water from said chamber to said jet.
 2. Theinvention as defined in claim 1 further comprising selectively operablestop means for limiting displacement of said piston for determining thelongitudinal dimension of said chamber, said stop means including: atubular piston shaft axially extended from said piston head; a rigidlysupported stop shaft telescopically received within said piston shaft,whereby displacement of said piston head imparts displacement to saidpiston shaft relative to said stop shaft; means defining within saidstop shaft a plurality of juxtaposed pin-receiving openings; a slidableblock concentrically supported by said stop shaft and axiallydisplaceable therealong; manually operable, spring-biased meansincluding an axially reciprocable pin continuously urged toward saidopenings to be received therein for releasably coupling said block withsaid stop shaft.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein saidfirst radially extended passageway segment is disposed to communicatewith said chamber ejection port and said second radially extendedpassageway segment is disposed to comMunicate with said chamber intakeport in response to an angular indexing displacement sequentiallyimparted to said rotary valve.
 4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein saidlinear valve includes: A. a tubular body communicating with saiddelivery passageway having a base coaxially related therewith; B. meansdefining within the distal end of said tubular body a plurality ofradially extended water ejection ports; and C. a closure sleeveconcentrically related to said tubular body supported for axialdisplacement between a first position wherein the closure sleeve isconcentrically related to said ports for closing the ports, and a secondposition wherein said closure sleeve is axially displaced from saidfirst position whereby said ejection ports are open.
 5. The dispenser ofclaim 4 wherein said linear valve further includes spring means coupledwith said sleeve for continuously urging the sleeve toward said firstposition.